Source : the age
I tell you what, the Dolphins could use an injection of energy. They are huffing and puffing.
And just like that, here comes Ray Stone – the team’s first interchange – coming on for Tom Flegler.
As that’s happening Isaiaya Katoa puts up a beautiful kick for Herbie Farnworth, who wins the one-on-one battle with James Tedesco and scores the Dolphins first try of the evening.
Katoa converts and we’re all square.
Roosters 6, Dolphins 6 after 20 minutes
So here I am preparing to write something funny about how one penalty plus two set restarts equals a try for the Dolphins, and then Tom Flegler drops the ball.
Promising signs from the Dolphins? Sure, but they needed multiple leg ups to get them up that end of the field and then they fumbled the opportunity.
Both teams struggling to get momentum here, with that Dolphins opportunity originally coming from a dropped ball from Naufahu Whyte.
Now, it’s time for the Roosters to have another crack as Tom Flegler is put on report for a crusher tackle on Salesi Foketi. Roosters ball 20 metres out.
Roosters 6, Dolphins 0 after 14 minutes
Well, that didn’t take long.
Daly Cherry-Evans and James Tedesco link-up to draw Herbie Farnworth and Kodi Nikorima in, before passing out to Robert Toia on the right edge to score with a step around Selwyn Cobbo.
That was a bit too easy for the Roosters. Sam Walker converts.
Roosters 6, Dolphins 0 after seven minutes
Reece Robson and Sam Walker are carving their way through the Dolphins middle.
Plenty of holes in the Dolphins defence right now, as Tedesco starts the Roosters set on halfway. To make things worse, or better – depends on who you support – the Tricolours get a set restart 30 metres out from the Dolphins line.
Roosters 0, Dolphins 0 after five minutes
Hello again from Allianz Stadium.
I should clarify, not the Allianz Stadium in Germany, the one in Sydney’s East.
I only make the distinction because a certain World Major Marathon that takes place tomorrow (Sydney, shhh) accidentally had Allianz Stadium in Germany printed onto their medals instead of the one in Sydney…oops.
Anywho, here we are, for what should be a fast and electric match between third and fourth on the NRL ladder less than two weeks out from finals: the Roosters and the Dolphins.
Jamayne Isaako takes the kick-off for the Dolphins, and it’s Naufahu Whyte who takes the first carry.
Roosters 0, Dolphins 0 with 80 minutes to go
Well, that’s full-time on the Gold Coast where the Rabbitohs have secured a 42-22 victory against the Titans. Yikes.
There was a moment there in the second half where the Titans reeled the Rabbitohs back within two converted tries, but three tries in the final 10 minutes of play for the Rabbitohs really was the nail in the coffin.
Cody Walker has just had a chat on Fox, where he spoke about the emotional scenes before kick-off, with teammate Jai Arrow walking the team out to bring up his 99th cap for the club despite his MND diagnosis.
“It was beautiful scenes. The roar of the crowd, everyone that showed up this afternoon, it was a real credit to his character, what he’s given the game, what he’s given our team and what he’s going to give the rest of australia for the rest of his life,” Walker said.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf also keeps his 1-18, with the only change Kurt Donoghoe coming in as 19th man in jersey No. 22.
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jack Bostock, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Thomas Flegler, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Tom Gilbert, 11. Max Plath, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Morgan Knowles
Interchange: 14. Ray Stone, 15. Francis Molo, 16. Felise Kaufusi, 17. Brian Pouniu, 18. Bradley Schneider, 22. Kurt Donoghoe
No changes for Trent Robinson’s Roosters, with skipper and fullback James Tedesco returning after three weeks on the sidelines with a lower leg injury.
1. James Tedesco, 2. Billy Smith, 3. Hugo Savala, 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Daly Cherry-Evans, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Salesi Foketi, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Nat Butcher
Interchange: 14. Connor Watson, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Egan Butcher, 17. Taylor Losalu, 18. Cody Ramsey, 19. Tommy Talau
The Titans score their second of the afternoon and narrow the gap to South Sydney.
Gold Coast have come out with a lot more life (and accuracy) in them this second half, and that calls for Latrell Mitchell to come off the bench.
This is a big moment for South Sydney, Mitchell hasn’t played a game since round 11.
He takes his first carry for the Rabbitohs, and he is driven back by Lachlan Ilias, Kurtis Morrin and Moeaki Fotuaika.
Welcome back Latrell.
Rabbitohs 28, Titans 12
